Baseball-related card game and method

ABSTRACT

A card game that is played by spectators watching or listening to a live baseball game. The game consists of a deck of cards equally distributed between two to nine players. Each card is associated with one of nine possible specific end batting events that can occur to a batter when batting. Prior to the first pitch, the card players examine their cards and consider the likelihood that the action or event depicted on one of their cards will occur to the next batter, taking into consideration the skill of the batter, the pitcher, and the game situation. The card player who holds the card that matches the actual action or end batting event that occurs to the batter, wins the round. The cards are then reshuffled and distributed to the card players before the first pitch is delivered to the next batter.

[0001] This is a utility patent application based on a provisionalpatent application (Serial No. 60/295,066) filed on May 31, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention pertains to card games, and more particularly, tobaseball-related card games which participants play while watching orlistening to a baseball game.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Baseball is one of the most favorite team sports played orwatched in the United States or Japan. Thousands of games are played infront of millions of fans in stadiums, on television, on radio and, morerecently, over the World Wide Web.

[0006] While the game of baseball is a relatively simple sport, theadvanced skill levels of professional players and the individualmatch-ups between the pitcher and hitters adds excitement to the gamefor baseball enthusiasts. There are games, however, that are slow andsometimes boring to some spectators. This is especially true forpart-time baseball enthusiasts and to young fans who come to the game tocatch a fly ball or receive a free T-shirt.

[0007] Today, many ballparks have large display screens located abovethe grandstand and overlooking the outfield. During the game, thedisplays are used to show an image of a player's photograph orstatistics currently at bat or on deck, or to show a replay of an actionor event that just occurred on the field. In between innings, thedisplays are often used to show humorous film clips or short videocontests that spectators are encouraged to watch to predict the answeror winner.

[0008] What is needed is an entertainment device for spectators thatenables them to watch and participate in a live or recorded baseballgame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a card gameplayed by spectators as they watch a baseball game.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide such acard game that is simple to play and easy to learn by novice and expertbaseball fans.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide such acard game that uses the “live” action of the players during the baseballgame.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide such agame that can be played at the ballpark where the game is played or at aremote location in front of a television, radio, or computer.

[0013] These and other objects of the invention that will becomeapparent are met by a baseball-related card game played by individualswatching or listening to a baseball game. The game consists of a deck ofnine cards with one of nine possible baseball-related actions or eventsthat can occur to a batter when batting printed on their front surface.Prior to the first pitch to a batter, the deck of cards is evenlydistributed among two to nine card players. The card players examinetheir cards and consider the likelihood that the end batting eventdepicted on the face of one of their cards will occur for the nextbatter, taking into consideration the skill of the batter, the pitcher,and the game situation. The card player who holds the card that matchesthe end batting event that eventually occurs to the batter, wins theround. The cards are then reshuffled and distributed to the card playersbefore the first pitch is delivered to the next batter.

[0014] An optional betting opportunity may be used with the game inwhich the card players are given an opportunity to place a wager againstthe other card players that they hold a card that depicts the upcomingend batting event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the card game disclosed herein.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of one card used in the card game.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram of the method of playing the cardgame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0018] Referring to the accompanying FIGS. 1-3, there is shown anddescribed a baseball-related card game and method 12 played byspectators watching or listening to a live or prerecorded baseball game.

[0019] The card game 12 includes a deck of nine cards 20, 25, 30, 35,40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 equally distributed between two to nine players.Displayed on one surface of each card 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55,60, is one of nine possible specific end batting events that can occurto a batter when batting during a baseball game.

[0020] More specifically, the card game 12 includes the following endbatting events:

[0021] (a) a first card 20 having a front surface 21 with the word“TRIPLE” 22 and an optional graphic 23 showing a player running;

[0022] (b) a second card 25 having a front surface 26 with the word“HOMER” and a graphic 28 showing a batter completing a swing of the bat;

[0023] (c) a third card 30 has a front surface 31 with the phrase“GROUND OUT” 32 and an optional graphic 33 showing a player fielding abaseball;

[0024] (d) a fourth card 35 has a front surface 36 with the word “WALK”37 and an optional graphic 38 showing four baseballs;

[0025] (e) a fifth card 40 has a front surface 41 with the word “DOUBLE”42 and an optional graphic 43 showing a player running;

[0026] (f) a sixth card 45 has a front surface 46 with the word “SINGLE”47 and an optional graphic 48 showing a player running;

[0027] (g) a seventh card 50 has a front surface 51 with the phrase “FLYOUT” 52 and an optional graphic 53 of a player fielding a baseball;

[0028] (h) an eighth card 55 has a front surface 56 with the phrases“WILD CARD” 57, “HIT BY PITCH” 58(A) and “PASSED BALL” 58(B) and anoptional graphic 59 of the pitcher throwing a curveball; and,

[0029] (i) a ninth card 60 has a front surface 61 with the word“STRIKEOUT” 62 and an optional graphic 63 showing a batter swinging at apitched ball.

[0030] The card game 12 may also include an optional card 65 with aprinted set of instructions 62 on its front surface 66.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, each card 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,50, 55, 60, and 65 is approximately 3 inches in height and 2 inches inwidth and made of water or moisture resistant material, such as plastic,that resists folding and food or beverage spills. Also, as shown in FIG.2, the back surface 24 of each card, (only first card 20 shown) mayinclude baseball-related indicia 18 printed thereon.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the method of playing the card game12. A group of two to nine participants, called card players, aregathered at the ballpark where the game is played, or in front of aradio or television broadcasting the game. The deck of cards is thenselected by a designated dealer who also acts as referee. The dealerthen evenly deals the cards 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 “facedown” to the card players. If an uneven number of participants areplaying, each card player is given the same number of cards. Extra cardsare placed in a “dummy” hand. The card players then monitor the game todetermine which end batting event actually occurs. The card player whoholds the card that matches the end batting event that occurs, wins theround. The cards are then gathered together and shuffled and then dealtfor the next batter.

[0033] When wagering is allowed in the game, the card players mustconsider the likelihood that the end batting event depicted on one oftheir cards will occur before placing a wager. There are two wagerversions of the game. The first wager version requires that each playerprivately examine their cards and select one card from the group ofcards dealt to them, and place a wager based on the likelihood that theend batting event depicted on the card will occur. The card playerholding the card that matches the end batting event that occurs wins theround and the bet. If none of the cards held by the card players matchthe actual end batting event, the wager amounts may be left, or removedfor the next round.

[0034] In the second wager version of the card game the card playersprivately examine their cards and hold all of their cards. The cardplayers then place a bet according on the likelihood that they hold acard that depicts the end batting event. The main advantage of thesecond wagering is that a winner is declared for each round. In shouldbe understood that with both versions the rules could provide that ifnone of other card players match the bet, the card player who originallyplaced the bet automatically wins the round and without considering theend batting event. In still other versions of the game, the card playersmay be given opportunities to place additional bets after each pitch.

[0035] In order to win the bet, the card players must understand whichend batting events are likely to occur, the skill of the batter, thepitcher, and the game situation. All of these factors make the gameexciting to both novice and expert baseball fans.

[0036] The same referee may be used throughout the entire game, or cardplayers may alternate being the referee.

[0037] In compliance with the statute, the invention described hereinhas been described in language more or less specific as to structuralfeatures. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the specific features shown, since the means and constructionshown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting theinvention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of itsforms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of theamended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with thedoctrine of equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A baseball-related card game, comprising a plurality ofplaying cards with each said playing card associated with one of aplurality of unique batting events that can occur to a player whilebatting.
 2. The card game as recited in claim 1, wherein said battingevents include a strikeout, a walk, a single, a double, a triple, ahomer, a ground out, and a fly out.
 3. The card game as recited in claim2, wherein said batting events further include a hit by a pitch.
 4. Thecard game as recited in claim 3, wherein said batting events furtherinclude a passed ball.
 5. A method of playing a baseball-related cardgame, comprising the following steps: a. selecting a baseball game; b.selecting at least two card players; c. selecting a baseball-relatedcard game including a plurality of playing cards with each said playingcard associated with one of the unique batting events that can occur toa player while batting; d. randomly and evenly distributing said playingcards to said card players before a batter is pitched a first baseball;e. monitoring the baseball game to determine which end batting eventoccurs for said batter; and, f. reviewing the cards dealt to said cardplayers to determine which card player is holding the playing carddepicting the end batting event.
 6. The method of playing abaseball-related card game, as recited in claim 5, further including thestep of placing a wager after said playing cards are dealt and beforesaid end batting event occurs.
 7. The method of playing abaseball-related card game, as recited in claim 5, wherein said endbatting events include a strikeout, a walk, a single, a double, atriple, a homer, a ground out, and a fly out.
 8. The method of playing abaseball-related card game, as recited in claim 5, wherein said endbatting events include a hit by a pitch.
 9. The method of playing abaseball-related card game, as recited in claim 5, wherein said endbatting events include a passed ball.